The chapter begins with Telemachus, Odysseus and Eumaeus in Eumaeus' hut. Telemachus orders Eumaeus to take Odysseus, still disguised as a beggar, to town to beg for food or money. Telemachus heads back to the palace, where he sees his mother and Eurycleia for the first time since his return to Ithaca. Both are relieved to see him alive, as they believed that he would meet the same demise as his father. Peiraeus comes to the palace along with his guest, Theoclymenus, to see Telemachus. Peiraeus asks Telemachus to send servants to Peiraeus' home to collect the gifts Telemachus received on his journey. Telemachus refuses, telling Peiraeus that he does not want the suitors to have the gifts were he to be murdered soon, and would rather have them divided among his friends. Telemachus then tells Penelope the information he gained regarding the whereabouts of Odysseus on his journey. Peiraeus' guest, Theoclymenus, phrophesises to Penelope that Odysseus is actually in Ithaca, and is planing revenge on the suitors, upon which hearing Penelope is overjoyed. Meanwhile, Eumaeus is leading Odysseus into town when they come across Melanthius, the goatherd, and also a suitor, bringing goats for dinner up to the palace. Melanthius insults Eumaeus and Odysseus, and tries to push Odysseus off the path. Odysseus and Eumaeus go to the palace, where Telemachus is hospitable to Odysseus, and offers him food. Odysseus is begging around the room of suitors, when Antinous insults Odysseus and throws a stool at his back, at which even the other suitors are surprised and outraged at his unnecessary violence. Penelope asks Eumaeus if it would be possible for her to talk with the beggar (Odysseus). Odysseus tells Penelope to wait until sundown when all the suitors have dispersed to talk. The chapter ends with Eumaeus returning to his hut, leaving Telemachus and Odysseus alone with the suitors.
Chapter 17 - Odysseus Goes to Town (Caroline)
The chapter begins with Telemachus, Odysseus and Eumaeus in Eumaeus' hut. Telemachus orders Eumaeus to take Odysseus, still disguised as a beggar, to town to beg for food or money. Telemachus heads back to the palace, where he sees his mother and Eurycleia for the first time since his return to Ithaca. Both are relieved to see him alive, as they believed that he would meet the same demise as his father. Peiraeus comes to the palace along with his guest, Theoclymenus, to see Telemachus. Peiraeus asks Telemachus to send servants to Peiraeus' home to collect the gifts Telemachus received on his journey. Telemachus refuses, telling Peiraeus that he does not want the suitors to have the gifts were he to be murdered soon, and would rather have them divided among his friends. Telemachus then tells Penelope the information he gained regarding the whereabouts of Odysseus on his journey. Peiraeus' guest, Theoclymenus, phrophesises to Penelope that Odysseus is actually in Ithaca, and is planing revenge on the suitors, upon which hearing Penelope is overjoyed. Meanwhile, Eumaeus is leading Odysseus into town when they come across Melanthius, the goatherd, and also a suitor, bringing goats for dinner up to the palace. Melanthius insults Eumaeus and Odysseus, and tries to push Odysseus off the path. Odysseus and Eumaeus go to the palace, where Telemachus is hospitable to Odysseus, and offers him food. Odysseus is begging around the room of suitors, when Antinous insults Odysseus and throws a stool at his back, at which even the other suitors are surprised and outraged at his unnecessary violence. Penelope asks Eumaeus if it would be possible for her to talk with the beggar (Odysseus). Odysseus tells Penelope to wait until sundown when all the suitors have dispersed to talk. The chapter ends with Eumaeus returning to his hut, leaving Telemachus and Odysseus alone with the suitors.
Major Themes: (Maddie M)
224-disguise229-hopitality
231-hospitality
233-justice
Locations Traveled: (Ali)
Telemachus' BoatPenelope's Palace (Telemachus' and Odysseus' palace as well)
The town of Ithaca
Study Guide Questions:
Who does Telemachus meet up with in town? (...Angelina...)His mother.
Why does he want to wait to bring the gifts from Menelaus to the palace? (...Angelina...)
He doesn't know who exactly to trust yet.
What does Telemachus tell Penelope about Odysseus? (...Angelina...)
How does Melanthius treat Odysseus and Eumaeus? (...Angelina...)
He is mean to them.
Who recognizes Odysseus first? (...Angelina...)
His dog.
What happens to him? (Charlotte)
He dies at 20 years old
Who does Telemachus get into an argument with? (Charlotte)
Antinous
Why does Penelope want to meet with the beggar? (Charlotte)
She wants to question him about Odysseus.
How does she interpret Telemachus’ sneeze? (Charlotte)
That he blessed everything she had and she said, and that all the suitors would die.